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Thinking of You Often…Alex. This beautiful song makes me think about Alex (see My Darling Baby Brother & Grief); but it is also about equality. The video below tells the story of a gay couple and what happened when one of them died in the US:
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In Franky Gets Real by Mel Bossa Franky is having a hard time; he’s unhappy at work as a Salesman, stressed by Geena his Boss and dominating girlfriend, he feels like he’s lost his way in life. Franky’s only saving grace is that this weekend he’s going camping with old friends, an opportunity to escape his stresses and reconnect with these old friends.
The first of Franky’s old friends is Wyatt, once the coolest of the gang now married with three children. Wyatt likes a drink, but why can’t he seem to say No to a beer?
Wyatt’s brother Alek and Franky used to be close, but now to Franky it there feels to be more distance between them than ever before. Alek seems to have something on his mind, but what is it? Franky notices every detail about Alek and has feelings deep inside of him about Alek, but ever since that moment fifteen years ago Alek hasn’t ever expressed an interest since.
Holly is a feminist, law student whose recently got into a relationship with Joe a Mechanic. Holly is the diplomat in the group. Nevin works as a Network Engineer and is undoubtably the brains of the group; but he’s quiet and you know what they say about needing to watch the quiet ones.
When Franky, Wyatt, Alek, Holly & Nevin arrive at the campsite they meet their neighbours Eli & Vlad a gay couple from Toronto with their dog. The disclosure of secrets start among the characters; somewhat dramatic at times – but what could I expect with at least three gay men as main characters?
Poor Franky went away to escape his life, the responsibilities and realises that this trip will be the opposite of what he hoped for. Within Franky doors are opening that he closed long ago leading to some self-revelations and for the first time in a long time he will have to make a choice. Franky needs to get real with himself and the one he loves or risks losing him forever.
Early on there are sexual undertones that continue throughout the book; but they complement the storyline rather than being the storyline or distracting from it. The description was bland with every character seemingly looking the same, but despite this lack of descriptive diversity Bossa should be given full credit for her clever writing style and storytelling ability which made each character distinct in my mind.
Bossa’s smart use of implied secrets gives the reader an idea as to what the secrets might be and encouraging the reader to read on to expose the truth. I particularly liked Bossa’s use of memory flash backs to show the reader how Franky’s and Alek’s friendship started developing fifteen years ago.
Franky Gets Real is essentially a story about love and self-discovery, chasing love and not giving up on the chase; a story which I will reread when I need to believe in love and that love prevails above all else. It is sometimes witty, sometimes deep and demonstrates Bossa’s ability to relate to a gay male audience, which is a fantastic achievement for a female writer.
It is easily the best gay fictional literature about gay love I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend Franky Gets Real enough and have already recommended it to some of my gay, bisexual and bi-curious male friends.
A few years ago I used to set yearly goals, then I decided to have goals without the year end marking the deadline for their completion. But thinking about 2013, I really want to have new experiences that encourage my growth as a person. So I’ve set myself some monthly challenges:
January – Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
February – Take a photo every day.
March – Be honest. Don’t lie, not even those little white lies.
April – Socialise in new places and meet new people.
May – See the sun rise & set (not necessarily on the same day).
June – Do something for someone else that is completely selfless.
July – Visit a site of historical significance.
August – Try a food that you would usually turn you’re nose up at saying you don’t like it before you’ve even tried it.
Then Sye dressed me up as an African Woman against my Will (honestly!) and we made cinnamon & whole nut cookies:
Me as an African Woman.
Cookies Up Close.
The completed cookie batches.
The idea Sye & I came up with was to make these cookies to give as homemade gifts to family & friends for Christmas. I don’t know about Sye’s family & friends but all mine that received them said they were delicious.
Yule kicked off the festive period with a relaxed gathering at Chrys’, with tasty food, wonderful company and making of festive wreaths. Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well as I’d caught a bug before finishing work for the festive period, so by the time it came to making wreaths in the evening I was shattered. In true Yuletide spirit the group banded together and made me a wreath which was so kind of them to do.
Christmas day soon came around and I cooked Christmas dinner for Steve. I was so impressed with myself, but only thought after dinner that I should have took a photo. Dylan & Russell my cats enjoyed the day. I bought them a Crinkle Bag. They love the sound of it along with the cat nip bag sown on a string inside:
Oh a crinkle bag!
OMG there’s catnip inside!
They discovered some wrapping I’d left out and decided to put it on their head and walk around bumping into the walls. After a while they sussed out that if they put their paw in front on them to feel for walls they wouldn’t bang their head. They spent the rest of the evening taking it in turns to play “blind cat;” so should have got a video but at least I got a few photos:
I will not put my head in the wrapping….
Ah I can’t see!
I also got a number of wonderful presents including various DVD’s, smellies, gift vouchers and a beautiful Yankee Candle.
Boxing day concluded my festive celebrations with a visit to mum & Ian’s with Steve. Albeit brief it was good to see everyone and know that they had a good festive period to.
Are you a Doctor, Nurse, Healthcare Assistant or Other Healthcare Professional? Or a Student?
Ways The Human Body Can Go Wrong covers every system of the body, what can go wrong when the body malfunctions or fails, symptoms (including why these happen) and cures/treatments available.
It includes knowledge around essential skills for Clinical Excellence such as Assessment, All Age Observational Norms, Models of Care, Communication/Handover Tips, the role of Specialities, Medication Tips, Dealing with Errors, Documentation Advice and a list of Useful Resources.
It is written in plain English, but highlights important medical terminology. It has been written at a level where someone from a non-medical background can pick it up and learn, but that it is still valuable to those with significant Clinical Experience.
My dear friend Roy decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and enlist in the Royal Navy.
I wanted to maintain our friendship, to continue to support Roy, to make him laugh and to entertain him. So I came up with the idea of sending him a weekly email on random topics.
These emails were on a variety of topics, always being entertaining, sometimes being interesting, sometimes funny and occasionally being serious.
Topics included: Jokes, Puzzles, Inspirational Quotes, Future Technology to Be Excited About, How to Fight A Shark, How to Woo A Turtle, Some of the Most Amazing Jobs in the World, Facts About Castles, Do Aliens Exist?, The Kindest Humans, A List of Cakes, 13 Weird Body Facts, 20 Super Space Facts, Ancient Egyptian Curses, 10 Weird Olympic Games, The Great Emu War of 1932, Quiz: Flags of the World, Legendary Characters from the UK and others.
My Royal Navy Friend is a copy of these emails. In total, there are 52 emails. Dispersed throughout the book are also Royal Navy facts and stories.
This workbook has been designed for anyone that is struggling with alcohol or has struggled with alcohol in the past.
It is written in a Motivational Interviewing style, one of the key therapies used to support people with alcohol issues. It has been designed using a trauma-informed approach and is strength–based.
What you will find in this book is more than just worksheets about alcohol. You’ll find all the tools someone needs to get into recovery from alcohol and stay there. It’s a therapy-based book, not an alcohol-based book.
SpellCast is a comprehensive compendium of spells, oils, charms and talismans. It is purely a book about magic, folk magic for the 21st century. The spells are ones that are tried and tested, with some that will stand the test of time.
In SpellCast you will read about the power of Instant Magic, of Banishment & Bindings, Blessings, Cleansing, Communication, Death, Employment, Finance & Money, Fertility, Friendship, Happiness & Joy, Health, Love & Relationships, Luck Magic, Protection, Transformative Magic and WishCraft.
This book will change your life. Your life will be abundant in all meanings of the word.
This book contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness. Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
Life Hacks is section three. It’s all about self-care and quick and easy ways to improve your mental health, prevent mental illness or relapse of mental illness.
Mental Health Wisdom contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness.
Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
Life Hacks is section three. It’s all about self-care and quick and easy ways to improve your mental health, prevent mental illness or relapse of mental illness.
If you find my blog educational or entertaining, please consider making a purchase or donation on Ko-Fi.
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